Roadmap Background Rural Economy and Knowledge Support System (REKSS) Capacity Assessment for Designing and Implementing Agriculture Policy Mapping of the Agricultural Policy Landscape REKSS Information System Nigerian Agricultural Policy Researcher Network Support to the CAADP Process

Background SAKSS in Nigeria aims at: improving the data and knowledge base available for applied policy analysis addressing specific gaps in knowledge critical to strategy formulation and implementation through research strengthening the national capacity for practical, evidence-based policy research that directly informs agricultural and food security strategies and policies.

Policy Research Covered six Themes agricultural growth options, prioritizing public spending, enhancing the competitiveness of agricultural commodity chains, improving agricultural productivity, analyzing vulnerability issues, and dealing with generic issues such as gender and environmental sustainability.

Capacity Assessment for Designing and Implementing Agriculture Policy Reviewed specific capacity challenges confronting university professors; curriculum gaps within the university programs for building capacity; employment opportunities for the university graduates in agriculture economics; existing capacity for undertaking agriculture and rural development policy research; and current methods used by researchers to convey their results to decision makers and other stakeholders.

Mapping of the Agricultural Policy Landscape Adapted the Net-Map (Eva Schiffer) to map the process from conceptualization to the passing of Nigeria’s 2006 fertilizer policy Key finding: The existence of a strong political will is essential for a successful policy formulation and implementation.

REKSS Information System Assessment and Strengthening of Agriculture- Related Libraries Agriculture Policy Researcher and Analyst Database Nigerian Agricultural Policy Researcher Network

Support to the CAADP Process Production of background growth analysis Facilitated the holding a drafting workshop Agreement that the Nigeria SAKSS would be hosted at the Policy, Planning, Analysis and Statistics (PPAS) department of FMAWR A Secretariat will be created to carry out the day-to- day activities of the node, while a Steering Committee will review both the outputs and the agenda of the SAKSS node.

Lessons A strong and well organized institution is necessary to facilitate a SAKSS process. Ownership and commitment is a necessary condition for a functional SAKSS, although this will need to be led by a reform “champion” on the part of Government.

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